The therapeutic benefits of helping others have long been recognized by everyday people. This concept was first formalized in a highly cited and often reprinted article by Frank Riessman that appeared in 1965 in Social Work.

Not every volunteer experiences a helper's high, but many could if they were better managed.  A new professional group, volunteer managers, has emerged over the last decade as more and more institutions rely heavily on large numbers of volunteer helpers. Many managers have training in counseling, and they are asking the right questions.